Microcirculatory perfusion in living kidney donors.

Rationale:
Recent studies comparing equally healthy controls with donors suggest that living kidney donation is associated with increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, mechanisms underlying this possible association remain unknown. In this study, we aim to investigate whether microcirculatory perfusion becomes compromised after unilateral nephrectomy in living donors in order to get more insight in the possible mechanism behind the development of CVD after kidney donation.

Objective:
To study microcirculatory perfusion in living kidney donors before and after donation.

Study design:
Single center, prospective observational study

Study population:
Living kidney donors > 18 years of age.

Intervention (if applicable):
Not applicable

Main study parameters/endpoints:
The primary outcome is to study the difference in perfused and total vessel density before and after unilateral nephrectomy in living kidney donors.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness:
There will be no benefit for patients participating in this study. The use of the USB3 MicroScan imaging camera is a non-invasive sublingually measurement technique which exposes patients to minimal risk and burden.

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that perfused and total micro vessel density in living kidney donors will be decreased after kidney donation.

Time points: 1 day before donation and 3 weeks after donation.

Not applicable